Former Gynecologist Charged with Sexually Abusing Patients
Robert Hadden was arrested on 9 September 2020 on charges that he sexually abused dozens of his patients, including a minor, for almost 20 years.
The U.S. Department of Justice unsealed the indictment against Hadden, a New York gynecologist who lost his medical license as part of a plea deal for previous sexual abuse crimes. Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss charged Hadden with six counts of enticing and inducing victims—both adults and minors—to travel to his medical offices and then subjecting them to unlawful sexual activity from 1993 to 2012. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
NYC gynecologist Robert Hadden was arrested yesterday and faces federal charges related to the sexual abuse of female patients.
— POLITICO New York (@politicony) September 10, 2020
The charges come roughly four years after Manhattan DA Cy Vance offered the doctor a plea deal that involved no jail time. https://t.co/RrhoAzwqgm
The U.S. attorney’s office alleges that Hadden abused these patients during their gynecological and obstetric examinations at his offices and in hospitals in New York, New York. According to the indictment, he cultivated trust with his patients and gradually became increasingly abusive, disguising his actions—which included groping, pointless genital or anal exams, and licking—as medical care.
“Hadden acted as a predator in a white coat,” said Audrey Strauss, acting US attorney in Manhattan. Robert Hadden is the former OBGYN accused by Evelyn Wang of sexually assaulting her. Prosecutors say he sexually abused dozens of other patients as well. https://t.co/lXUUgznDQS
— Benjamin Weiser (@BenWeiserNYT) September 10, 2020
Hadden entered a plea of not guilty and was granted supervised release on a $1 million bond.
Prior to these new charges, Hadden "cut a deal with prosecutors" in 2016 to resolve nine charges related to sexual abuse allegations, according to CNN. "He pleaded guilty to two counts: criminal sexual act in the third degree and forcible touching. Under the terms of the plea deal, he surrendered his medical license and served no prison time."
In January 2020, Hadden was accused by Evelyn Yang, wife of former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang, of sexual assault. Several other victims came forward after her announcement, alleging Hadden assaulted them too. The revelations prompted the U.S. district attorney's office to investigate the new claims, which led to this recent round of charges.
